7 Mistakes I Made Starting a Non Profit
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- Starting a nonprofit organization or researching what it would take to start one? Check out a few BIG mistakes I made in my start up nonprofit and DON'T do what I did! #Nonprofit #Entrepreneurship #SocialEnterprise
Don't worry, things turned out okay. I now work full-time for the 501c3 nonprofit I started and love seeing the social impact we make in our community as we grow each year. But looking back, I could have done a few things differently as a nonprofit entrepreneur to get us to the scale we're at now more quickly and with less of a struggle.
If you've started a nonprofit or known someone who has - what mistakes did you / they make along the way that you learned from? Share in the comments below! THANK YOU for checking out my first video - I hope you enjoy!
// MOOORE LINKS
Hi! I’m Amber, a nonprofit founder, Executive Director, and public speaker on social impact, changemaking, nonprofits, leadership, and more. Want me to come speak at your business, college, school, or event or interested in consulting for your nonprofit? Reach out: ambermsmith.com/
My Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy -- with online trainings to guide you through the steps to start a nonprofit and more -- is now LIVE! foundertofulltime.com/
On Facebook? Join in some pretty cool conversations I'm having with other change makers about social change, nonprofits, business, self-care and more in my Facebook group, Change the World or Bust: / changetheworldorbust
Join my newsletter! I'll be sharing inspiration, ideas, and resources on changing the world: ambermsmith.com/blog/newsletter/
I'm also on Twitter: / ambermelsmith
Pics of me and my cute dog on Instagram: / ambermelsmith
My Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy -- with online trainings to guide you through the steps to start a nonprofit and more -- is now LIVE! foundertofulltime.com/
Write a vision first
Coming soon?
I’m
I’m
I’m so happy you
This is the third video I watched of yours. You are answering so many questions and hopefully preventing mistakes I may encounter. Especially about saying “Yes” to everyone. I suffer from being a people pleaser. Hearing you say this stopped me in my tracks. I have to exercise the freedom of saying “No.”
YESSS me too! Thank you so much for watching and I'm so happy to hear the videos are helpful!
I'm writing my business plan right now and you are helping me tremendously to make decisions early! I haven't even filed any paperwork yet and I feel secure in my concept, branding, and revenue plan. Thank you!
I'm so glad! Good luck with everything!
Extremely helpful video. The nonprofit I'm in has made several of these same mistakes, so I wish this video existed 5 years ago!
Thank you! Were there other mistakes / challenges you all faced I didn't cover? I'd love to hear about them!
As a new non-profit founder, I really appreciate your vulnerability and guidance. Thanks for laying out the blueprint!
Thank you! This work is hard, and it's real!
Thank you, I am right at the very beginning of the process of starting a NPO found this video very informative, keep up the good work
So glad it was helpful!
I am taking a graphic design course, just for branding and marketing purposes , website creation. all for my nonprofit to be successful
Those are helpful skills!
Girl ! I have done them all my first time around!!! Such valuable info!!! Thank you for sharing and helping others hopefully avoid these same pitfalls.. ❤️
Feels good to know I'm not alone! 😂 Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you so much. These are great starting pointers, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to learn from your mistakes!
It's my pleasure 😆
you are absolutely awesome, thank you sharing so much knowledge,
God bless you Amber.
You bet!
Thank you so much ! God Bless you ! So much info I have gotten through your videos ! Your Awesome !
Glad to help!
Working as a team to make the strategic vision... this resonated with me and is something I absolutely need to do. This video was very helpful. Thank you!
You're welcome! :) Thank you for watching!
Thank you for sharing your mistakes and being vulnerable about your experience. It can be hard to admit that we didn't do something perfectly the first time!
Hindsight is definitely 20-20!
What you are doing is so amazing! You are helping a very large audience by guiding the ones that want to help millions! God bless you!
Ahh thank you for your kind words!
Amber this is soooo helpful. Thank you!!
Yay!!! Glad it was helpful!
Great stuff Amber! Much of what you said I never considered and can definitely see how that could lead to unnecessary problems in the making for years. Oh boy.
We're all learning all the time! Thanks so much for watching :)
This is a guide for our organisation. Great video Amber. Thank you 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely love you videos! Thank you!
Ah thank you! Glad they are helpful!
Thank you so much! The information you have shared is invaluable. I wish you much success in all your endeavors.
I'm so glad it was helpful!
@@AmberMelanieSmith Absolutely!
Very helpful. You are very clear and I love when you give examples. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you Amber.
This video helps a lot.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for your advice and positive attitude and outlook.
☺
9:21 Brilliant! This is so inspiring. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! Thank you for all the knowledge, Amber.
Glad it was helpful!
This is so informative,I've recently been watching your videos and Lord, I Thank you for this. I was about to make huge mistakes. This is very much appreciated and motivating.. Now i know where to focus my energy.
So glad it was helpful! What stage are you in in building your efforts?
@@AmberMelanieSmith am currently re-writing the vision and mission. They weren't clear enough.And also the "Don't do everything on your own".. That has been me, I've been so overwhelmed with a lot to do that I hardly ask others to help me.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Amber. Awesome video! 👍
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for so much! Blessings! LOve it!
Hope it was helpful!
Excellent video Amber amen.
Thoroughly enjoying and digesting your teachings...
Thanks, James & Kitty😺
Welcome welcome!
This is gold, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Keep shining you Stars!🍾🌟💖💛💚
😎
Thank you for all your videos!
You're welcome!
Great video Amber. You motivated me in this video.
I'm so glad! What are you working on / trying to work on?
Very informative and eye opening. Thank you for helping me begin to have my focused vision.
Glad it was helpful!
This was extremely helpful! Thank you!
I'm so glad!
As the founder of a nonprofit, I can honestly say that all these 7 points are spot on. And yes it takes lots of patience.
Sooooo much patience!
Great video! Thank you for sharing this information.
My pleasure!
Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for watching! :)
Your videos are wonderful!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge
You are so welcome!
Thank you for sharing. You are activating and supporting good. :)
Thanks so much for watching! :)
Great information! Thank you for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
This was amazing. Thank you💎
You're so welcome!
I sent this to my friends. Thank you for making this.
You're very welcome!
Thank you so much for this video. Great direct tools that will help
Glad it was helpful! :)
Brilliant - Thank You !
So glad it was helpful!
I felt like you were speaking to me! Thank you for these
My pleasure! :)
Thank you for the information. Ive had some big dreams and ideas when it comes to helping make the world a better place. My focus has to do with children and emotional literacy... The delay has always been with not knowing where to start and how to ensure progress... Your videos are helpful.
Often not knowing where to start is the big barrier! Thank you for your comment and your dreams. :) We need those big dreams!
This video exceeded my expectations in terms of being a very honest account of what are very typical mistakes made by non-profits - mine included. I especially loved the commentary about the power and importance of branding as this is a battle I am still fighting, would love to have additional tips about how to win this one.
So glad the video helped! What are your branding challenges, would you say?
@@AmberMelanieSmith we've changed our name and logo often in response to work we are doing at that moment. But in doing so, with the proliferation of logos that we've created, it has served just to confuse us and others. I suppose it's the name which is the greatest challenge.
100 percent helpful Ms Amber God bless you
Glad to hear it was helpful!
Thank you for this insightful video.
You're very welcome!
this was helpful & so true , thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Amber. This is very helpful.Thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
I must say this will really work for me , thank you Melanie
You're so welcome!
I'd be curious to hear - what are some of your start up mistakes?
Trying to bring together a board of picky people who were interested, rather than people who are qualified and can strategically help with the goals involved. Where should one recruit board members nowadays?
Depends on the skills required! This video I did on board recruitment might help: ua-cam.com/video/DLZb7SooZ8U/v-deo.html
Very comprehensive comments that could be helpful to nonprofits and entrepreneurs. Share with your contacts!
Thank you! I hope folks find this helpful for sure!
Thanks for your great videos!
My pleasure!
Excellent knowledgeable video. Very much inspired. Thank you so much.
Yay! So glad it helped you!
Thank you Amber
Hope it was helpful!
Fantastic video!! Thank you!
Glad it helped!
I must say this really worked for me thanks Melanie
Glad it helped!
I committed these 7 mistakes in starting my nonprofit. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing that! :)
Thank you so much my sister this video is what i have been wating to watch but i am so happy because God made it possible today.my foundation was registered two months ago and i believe God will give me power and help me not to forget your advices here. i am a disabled girl who wants to change my country Lesotho by the grace of GOD
Best of luck to you!
Thank you for this Amber. I’m thinking of starting my CBO in health too. I have already identified trustees who have tremendous skills in various fields. However, health is broad and I’m stuck on what I should really focus on because my community basically encounter a number of health problems which I want to put my contribution in assisting. I am stuck on branding, vision etc.
I would say, what is the biggest need in your community that is being the most neglected / not worked on by anyone else? That would be where I'd start!
I am just want to begin my NGO and watching your videos is really helpful....
I'm glad they are helpful!
Inspired. Thankyou
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful information regarding nonprofit
Glad it was helpful!
This is incredibly helpful, I’ve been trying to start something for months and it’s been such a confused mess without clear guidance - this has really helped me to go step by step and create a definite, professional vision and action plan. It’s actually quite similar to project management, but with a much larger panoramic view. Thank you for sharing and helping. 🙏
It is actually quite similar to project management!
Thanks for the great content 👍
Glad you enjoy it!
Excited to share -- Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy is launching soon! I've heard from SO many amazing people who want to make an impact in their communities by starting a nonprofit AND find a way to do it Full Time that I'm launching the Founder to Full-Time Academy, which will include online training, materials, and support for folks starting up. If you're interested, let me know here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgEzf-dRU9VAE67xqbh29_hSceejM0kQHxIQL5RpoHvVxneg/viewform
Word placement (work) error in the first question of your doc. Nothing major, just caught it.
KEEP INSPIRING AMBER 🙏
Thank you thank you!
Excellent thank you!
You're very welcome!
Thank you so much Melanie. Learning a lot from videos. Learning from Philippines here...😅
Thanks for honestly sharing your mistakes..
So glad it's helpful!
Hello Amber, *Thank you* for providing good info! Looking forward to learning from your mistakes and experiences. *Liked and subscribed!* Hope to get more specific knowledge on establishing and running a brand new Non-Profit.
Yay! Thank you so much! What is your mission?
@@AmberMelanieSmith "Primary" mission is to reach the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (without involving money in the process).And, as I've spent nearly 70 thousand dollars on my music and media education over 20 years, my "secondary" mission is to have a global charitable trust where I can provide FREE education for music and media). There is SO MUCH WORK to be done, I know what I am doing but I certainly am looking for help to understand the "Non-Profit" way of running things and I'm sure you are a good person to look upto! (It's a loooooooong comment and if you are reading this, it means you actually care and took time off to help me. So, THANK YOU 🙏🏻)
Thank you, very helpful
Glad it was helpful!
I'm grateful for the work your doing, actually I have learnt some ideas from and hope to be in touch with you all times
Thanks for watching!
Thank you very much this helpful idea
Glad it was helpful!
Amazing video🎉
Thanks for the visit!
Very informative, many thanks
Glad it could help!
Great information ❤️💕
Glad it was helpful!
Very helpful video. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Yessss
:)
Gratitude 🤗
🤗
Thanks so much for this information! It was very very helpful. I am starting and organization here in Baltimore Maryland it’s called MAMI mothers against mental illness it’s an LLC right now but I want to switch to a nonprofit organization your information was very very helpful! Thanks so much and I will definitely continue watching!
That's a beautiful mission!
Amber Melanie Smith thanks so much! I do have a Facebook group for us I am looking for yours I would love to check it out! Thanks again for providing us with this pertinent information I sent this video to my board of directors LOL I told them they need to watch this but also need to hold me accountable if I’m not doing my part as iCEO... you should hold classes and maybe even charge for them! You you give great information for beginners like myself keep up the great work!
Thanks very much for for the information really there helpful to me. God bless you.
You are very welcome!
The best video I watched in a while. Thanks a lot for your good work and for inspiring others! I am interested to know what you studied and how it helped you in your non profit organization :)
I'm so glad it helped! In college, I was able to design my own major, which was called "Social Change Leadership" to help me learn how leaders can help create social change. Then I did a Masters program where I learned about nonprofit management. It definitely helped! I'll be doing a video on college courses to take if you're interested in doing this kind of work soon!
Sounds great! Thanks for your answer! Before university I volunteered with some social organizations and realised that there is a big need of good leadership. That's why one of the main reasons I started studying business economics last year was to learn business skills and fill this gap to make social organizations better or even start my own one day. However, I am struggling with my choice of studies right now because I don't feel a great interest in the topic itself. I believe that I have qualities to study business and to become a good leader, but I just don't have a clear vision yet or very much experience and I am afraid to end up with an office job :D.. So all I know right now is that I love developing good projects, I like doing it on a professional level and encourage others. I was also thinking of doing a master programm in social economics later on... I guess I'll see if I stick to the plan :) and I am really looking forward to your video about it :))
Greetings from Germany ☺️
Your video is so useful. I am a college student and starting a non-profit with a group of friends and I am so lost on how to lead my team. Thanks for your videos
Yay! You bet!
Hi Emily how is your Non profit going now? Would love to hear about it
She is so beautiful and has an amazing heart ❤️ 👍🏼🙏🏽👏🙌🏼👌thank you for the value of this video ☑️
😊
Liked this really.
Glad to hear it! :)
Thanks a lot!
You're welcome!
That was quite helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Than you Amber, I am so glad I stumbled upon your channel. New Sub.
Welcome!!
Invest in instead
Thanks!
THANK YOU so much for the support for this channel!!!
Thank you so much :)
You're welcome!
Awesome video. Glad I found this great video on this subject. I just requested to join you FB group and subscribed!
Welcome to the group!!!
@@AmberMelanieSmith Thanks, much appreciated!
Thank you so much
Any time!
I SO needed to hear #6! It's difficult for me to allow others in, especially at the beginning of this journey. I made an agreement with myself that I will get the base items completed, and then I MUST allow others to participate and invest themselves into the organization's purpose and goal. What you said confirms what I feel about myself.
This was one of the HARDEST things for me! But having a team is awesome and has made all the difference.
Not looking to put myself out of business, but to create support for artists going on forever.
There are most certainly causes and issues that need ongoing support if new populations continue to need those services! The idea behind "putting yourself out of business" is about creating a world in which the problem you're tackling has ultimately been solved. In your example of getting artists support, an example of 'putting yourself out of business' would be 'creating a world in which the public adequately supports artists' (in which case your nonprofit would no longer need to exist!). Make sense?
Hi Melanie, thanks for this amazing video.
I have this vision to create an NGO to help others. Watching your video has orientated me...I feel confident that I am on track. Thank God
Please could give us so tips on drafting a strategic plan for a NGO? Thanks
I'm so glad the videos help! Here's a video that may help you -- How to Write a Nonprofit Business Plan: ua-cam.com/video/HXvkz2l2NRM/v-deo.html
Thank u AMS
You're welcome!
Umber let God bless you for a nice lesson ,I am in process to open my NGO and I have started a lot in the process ,since I listened to you my dear things are going to change complete .I am from Tanzania here my NGO's name faith children foundation thanks a lot.
Best of luck!
I really need help. I want to start an organization for parents that have children who are severely disabled and are terrified of the care they will be given after we're gone by the people the state pays minimum wage to. As it stands, my son will be cared for by kids or other people that are inexperienced, untrained, underpaid and don't really have the heart to do that job. The need for this is HUGE! We can't die knowing our children will not be cared for the way they should be. Please help me! Please. Donovan
Hi Donavan, it sounds like you have a solid mission and vision in mind! There are some videos that may help you understand the steps to start a nonprofit on the rest of my channel, this playlist focuses on many of them - ua-cam.com/play/PL-JB-jNZz_qDxws4QHsZFIwn0T9jZFgYK.html